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Samsung HW-Q990C vs Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q990C
Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jul 15, 2024 04:31 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 10, 2025 02:44 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels11.1.4
Channels7.1.4
Variants
- HW-Q990C (Black)
- Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc (Black)
- Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc (White)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q990C
Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc
The Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc and the Samsung HW-Q990C are both very premium soundbar setups with versatile performances, but the Samsung is a touch better overall. The Samsung has more features like Bluetooth support, a graphic EQ, and HDMI In ports for video passthrough. While the Sonos has a wider soundstage, it also sounds a bit over-processed at times, especially compared to the Samsung. If you already own products in Sonos's ecosystem, you may find it's a better buy.
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HW-Q990C
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Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc
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HW-Q990C
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Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990C
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.5
8.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
8.1
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
48.5" (123.2 cm)
44.9" (114.1 cm)
Height
2.8" (7.0 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.9" (22.6 cm)
6.2" (15.7 cm)
Height
16.2" (41.2 cm)
15.6" (39.5 cm)
Depth
16.1" (41.0 cm)
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
5.1" (13.0 cm)
10.2" (25.8 cm)
Height
7.9" (20.0 cm)
7.5" (19.0 cm)
Depth
5.5" (14.0 cm)
6.4" (16.3 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
11.1.4
7.1.4
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.01
-0.04
Standard Error
2.38 dB
3.17 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.7 Hz
30.0 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
0
0
Slope
-0.01
-0.04
Standard Error
2.38 dB
3.17 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.7 Hz
30.0 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.33 dB
2.17 dB
Stereo Dynamics
9.1
8.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
99.9 dB SPL
92.9 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.46 dB
0.38 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.84 dB
0.76 dB
Center
8.7
7.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.33
0.10
Std. Err.
2.31 dB
2.96 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.6 dB SPL
78.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.70
1.52
Surround 5.1
8.2
7.8
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.34
-0.50
Std. Err.
3.16 dB
3.38 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.8 dB SPL
81.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.60
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.82
1.00
7.1 Rears
Yes
Yes
Height (Atmos)
6.7
6.4
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-0.11
-0.28
Std. Err.
4.11 dB
3.30 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.9 dB SPL
67.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.61
0.78
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.61
0.32
Sound Enhancement Features
9.5
7.7
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
2
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.6
8.5
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
37 ms
42 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
37 ms
41 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
69 ms
59 ms
Dolby Digital
90 ms
92 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
94 ms
101 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
96 ms
101 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.8
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
41 ms
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
40 ms
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
73 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital
104 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
99 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
99 ms
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
8.0
9.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
103 ms
99 ms
Dolby Digital
303 ms
129 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
8.5
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
No
Wireless Playback
9.0
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
Check Price
Black
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comWhite
Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q990C
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q990C
SEARCH
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Samsung HW-Q990C
Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc
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Samsung HW-Q990C vs Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc: Main Discussion
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